A bunch of Artists, all cropped in one family

I have walked around with the idea in my head of doing a blog post about my artist family for a while now. This morning when I woke up, I felt that it was the right time to do this post.

There is something very special about the fact that our family has a long history of artists. We understand and inspire one another, speak the “same language” and connect without using words…

“A bunch of artists.” I’m not in the picture, I am the one who took the photo, the observer.

Let me start with my father:

My father, Kobus Kotze, in his sacred space.

My father is turning 80 on the 14th of July, he has been in the art industry for more than 50 years already and he is still going strong!

His career as an artist started when his brother gave him some paint and brushes as a gift. At that point, he started painting in his free-time as he was a full-time farmer.

Kobus Kotzè’s passionate love for capturing landscapes are very much the essence of his inspiration.

Kobus held his first solo exhibition in 1971 and many other exhibitions followed.

Kobus has been painting since 1967 and with all the years of experience, he developed a unique sense for mixing and using colours. One of the exceptional qualities in his work is his ability to make the sky look exciting, real and radiant.

In his studio, he combines the photographs with his emotions and traditions. He is influenced by Cèzanne, van Gogh, Monet, Sisley and also a few South African artists as Pieter Zienning, Hugo Naudè, Edward Roworth and Gregoire Boonzaaier.

Kobus is an established South African artist and his work is worth investing in.

Let’s jump to my mom, Joe Kotze.

Joe is a small woman, a busybody, and a dedicated artist.

Joe Kotze, doing what she loves most. Not the best image, but it captures the essence of my mom so beautifully.

After a lifetime’s exposure to art, Joe started painting in 1997. She worked under various tutors to perfect her own style and technique. She works in acrylic, oil and mixed mediums. The atmosphere in her work is more based on effects than detail.

Joe was born into a family of artists. Joe’s work is marketed and sold successfully throughout the country. She is inspired by music and her love of literature.

A floral painting by Joe. For me, my mom is synonymous with beautiful little arrangements of flowers. Welcoming little splashes of colour in every room of their house.

Now my stunning, beautiful, soulmate sister.

The real artist in the family, the whimsical girl with an untamed spirit. Eccentric, magic, compassionate and full of passion! The bird-lady, she is always surrounded by birds, like my dad, feeding them and attracting them.

Hanlie Kotze, my bubbly sister.

Hanlie started writing poetry at school and she has always been fascinated by the interpolation of what could be called word art and her visual art.
Hanlie favors symbolism in all her paintings. The imagery used in her works blends seamlessly with her poetry. She is divining as she works away at the easel.

“My work is primarily the product of my imagination”. “I wake up in the morning with an idea, perhaps feeling a bit glum and I may paint a picture of a woman flying out of a window. Art is essentially an expression of mood and when you combine it with poetry it becomes even more so.”

Hanlie hastens to point out that she doesn’t compose realms of a verse: rather the occasional phrase here, a word coupling there just to help her capture the very mood she wants to convey by the painting. “Painting and poetry say the same thing”, she says. “I feel both are a reflection of your creative abilities and the marriage of the two is very natural.”

Hanlie is now rated among the pantheon of well know South African artists who can hold their own anywhere in the world and her work is beginning to reflect a real investment value.

A symbolic painting by Hanlie.

Sisters – “Mari-Hanlie”

You can follow Hanlie’s posts on her Facebook page: Hanlie Kotze Artist

My brother, Jaco:

The only one in our family who is not a fulltime artist.

Although Jaco is an electrical engineer, he is also very creative and part-time creating arty furniture and functional art objects.

My Jaco- brother

Jaco’s creations

His furniture is unique and very rustic. It will surely last a lifetime!

Jaco in his workshop where everything happens.

Me:

I’m not going to say much about me, you are welcome to read more on me as an artist in this blog post I did a while ago: This is me:

Me, behind my easel

To

Floris, Joe, Kobus and me at Kotze Art exhibition at Aardklop 2017.

Kotze Art Gallery in Bloemfontein:

Bringing all art together. My brother Floris and his wife Anine are the proud owners of the

Kotze Art Gallery Floris started the gallery to market my dad’s art and it grew into a well established, trusted gallery over the years, selling good investment art.

Kotze Art exhibition is in the Equitas building UFS Campus Nelson Mandela drive and you will find Kobus behind his easel there and Floris and his friendly team will assist you.

And an added bonus!

My aunt, Hester Hattingh is a fulltime artist, her works consist of atmospheric landscapes and it is worth following her posts on Facebook. This special woman steals hearts with her warm, winsome personality with each interaction she has.

Hester Hattingh

Hester’s work is getting more beautiful by the day, the atmosphere she captures in each painting is magic.

My grandma:

Grandma, Fida Du Plooy with two of her daughters in her arms, not knowing then, that these two little girls would become artists.

Although my grandma never pursue her art full on, she was such a talented painter, I think in another era, she would have been a fulltime artist as well.

Her work is so delicate.

A painting by Fida, my grandma.

And not to be overlooked:

Laurika Postma, for a very interesting read about her, you can follow this link, unfortunately, it is only in Afrikaans: Laurika Postma

Laurika Postma is my great-aunt. Laurika took lessons in sculpture in Munchen and Berlyn.

Laurika was one of the artists who worked on the Frieze for the Voortrekker Monument in Pretoria started in 1942 and the sculptors, Hennie Potgieter, Peter Kirchhoff, Frikkie Kruger and Laurika Postma literally spent years of their lives completing it.

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11 Comments

How wonderful to be surrounded by ‘like minded’ people who have nurtured and influenced your love of art and your own career path in art. You are blessed beyond measure and it was a beautiful thought to write about each and every arty family member.